altruistic

adjective

al·​tru·​is·​tic ˌal-trü-ˈi-stik 

: relating to or given to altruism:

a

: having or showing an unselfish concern for the welfare of others

altruistic acts/motives

a generous and altruistic person

Yet many of the most important institutions in our society—the fine arts, NGOs, humanitarian charities—depend on the generosity of wealthy citizens with altruistic impulses.

—Jonathan Kay

b

: relating to or being behavior by an animal that is not beneficial to or may be harmful to the animal itself but that benefits others of its species

The evolutionary theory of kin selection requires that social animals recognize their relatives so that altruistic behavior can be displayed preferentially toward kin.

—Science

altruistically

ˌal-trü-ˈi-sti-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

… one of the first researchers to begin to solve the paradox of how the evolutionary struggle to survive and reproduce could give rise to creatures that never reproduce and spend their lives altruistically helping others to survive.

—Carol Kaesuk Yoon

Synonyms

• beneficent
• benevolent
• charitable
• do-good
• eleemosynary
• good
• humanitarian
• philanthropic
• philanthropical

Examples of altruistic in a Sentence

I'm not being altruistic in giving you these books, since I was going to have to lug them with me if you hadn't come along

Recent Examples on the Web

Many are driven by their own altruistic visions for AI’s future, making their choice of company often based on its mission and leadership. —Kylie Robison, The Verge, 3 Oct. 2024

This trend does have an altruistic side, too, as older relatives look to splash the cash among their families, helping the younger generations through the cost of living crisis by paying for their next vacation. —Rebecca Ann Hughes, Forbes, 22 Oct. 2024

As long as our government continues its outdated altruistic trade policies there will be no recovery for Boeing or other troubled companies. —Letters To The Editor, The Mercury News, 15 Oct. 2024

But with Rare Beauty, Gomez achieved something many others had failed to do: authentically merge an altruistic mission with products that actually perform. —Angela Law, refinery29.com, 4 Apr. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1853, in the meaning defined above